Honduras Rainforest & Caribbean Photo Workshop

honduras-56 The ‘ultra-luxury’ Pico Bonito Lodge is one of Central America’s hottest new rainforest destinations, a paradise that’s home to half of Honduras’s 700 bird species—from the endangered and endemic Honduran Emerald hummingbird to the uncommon Keel-billed Motmot to the beautiful, brilliant blue Lovely Cotinga.

Situated between two fast-moving rivers—the Coloradito and the Corinto—the luxury lodge nestles in the lap of Pico Bonito National Park, where 270,000 acres of tropical rainforest rise from near sea level to the 8,000-foot peak that gives the park its name. Much of this land is unexplored and unexploited. Jaguars and Pumas still hunt here as howler monkeys roar to proclaim their territory.

The photo workshop will include a Macro focus on reptiles and amphibians as well as flowers and butterflies. We will spend time in blinds experiencing a photographing lekking manakins (small birds doing their mating dance). We will have special set-ups to photograph hummingbirds in the gardens and around feeders. Waterfall and landscape photography will be explored as will photoshop skills and image workflow.

  • Workshop Cost
  • 9-days/8-nights

     

    2013 Cost

    $3700 per person from San Pedro Sula (Non-photographer companions may join the trip for $2900 per person, double occupancy.)

    Full payment required 120 days prior to departure date.

    Price based on double occupancy. If a single room is preferred, a single supplement fee of $660 will be assessed.

     

    Cost Includes

    All lodging, meals, instructions, guide fees, ground transportation, airport transfers.

    Note: Non-photographr companions will not participate in any of the photo workshop opportunities (including the Caribbean overnight), but they will have a lodge guide to take them on their own excursions.)

     

    Cost does not include

    International airfare, passport fees, visa fees, airport taxes, laundry, phone calls or anything of a personal nature or not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary.

  • Itinerary
  • Brief Itinerary

    Day 1: Arrive San Pedro Sula; transfer to Pico Bonito
    Day 2: Trails and blinds for birds and wildlife
    Day 3: Hummingbirds, reptiles and amphibians
    Day 4: Waterfalls and forest
    Day 5: Mangove boat trip for monkeys, crocodiles and birds
    Day 6: Travel to Cayos Cochinos Caribbean excursion

    Day 7 : Cayos Cochinos (return to Pico Bonito after lunch)

    Day 8: Explore the lodge grounds

    Day 9: Return home.

     

    Detailed itinerary

     

    Day 1 - Arrival in Honduras

    Arrive San Pedro Sula; transfer to Pico Bonito Lodge

    Evening discussion and orientation to our trip.

     

    Day 2 - At the Lodge
    Exploring the property around Pico Bonito. Several well-maintained trails start from behind the pool, one of them leading to an impressive canopy tower only ten minutes away. As canopy towers go, this is one of the easiest to climb as it is located on a slope overlooking a forested valley. Large enough for the whole group and offers canopy views as well as a piece of the river below. We'll watch for perched and soaring raptors including White Hawk and Bat Falcon and scan the treetops for the turquoise of a male Lovely Cotinga.

    Evening discussion and instruction.

     

    Day 3 - Lodge grounds
    Today we will work on photographing hummingbirds in the morning and the afternoon we will have incredible opportunities photographing snakes, lizards, frogs and more!

    Evening discussion and instruction.

     

    Day 4 - Lodge grounds
    Today we will concentrate on scenery... especially the waterfalls and forest trails!

    Evening discussion and instruction.

     

    Day 5 - Lodge grounds
    Today we will concentrate on hummingbirds in the morning and butterflies in the afternoon.

    Evening discussion and instruction.

     

    Day 6 - Caribbean
    Today we will visit the barrier reef to photograph on the beach, snorkel in search of fish, corals and sea turtles.... overnight on Cayos Cochinos including night photography

     

    Day - Caribbean and return to lodge
    We will continue to explore the barrier reef to photograph on the beach, returning to the lodge after lunch.

     

    Day 8 - Lodge grounds

    Today will be used to re-examine/re-visit our best photo opportunities of the week.

     

    Day 9 - Return Home
    Depart for our return home...

  • Accommodations
  • Pico Bonito Lodge

    The porch at Pico Bonito LodgeAdventure, nature, and luxurious comfort surrounded by 400 acres of tropical wilderness, one of Central America's largest unexplored rainforests. These forests are home to over 420 species of birds plus many tropical amphibians and mammals such as kinkajous, peccaries, coatis, monkeys, tyras and jaguars.

     

    Room at Pico Bonito LodgeCabins are approximately 400 square feet with private bathroom with shower, louvered and screened windows, two ceiling fans, and private veranda with hammock. Cabins also have a CD player, alarm clock and coffee maker with Honduran organic coffee. Outlets are 110v.